Talking to a loved one on the phone for 10 minutes a day could help to ease the pangs of loneliness, new research has found.
According to a study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, those who received brief phone calls over the course of a month reported feeling 20% less lonely on average. While the way we communicate with others has changed since the start of the COVID-19 virus outbreak, this research highlights just how important picking up the phone is.
How did they conduct the study?
The study participants, all clients of Meals on Wheels Central Texas, led the phone call conversations, deciding what topics to discuss. While participants couldn't control other areas of their lives, researchers found their moods lifted as soon as they were able to control the discussion.
Each phone call was around 10 minutes long, with participants talking about a range of subjects including their daily lives, favourite hobbies and getting to know the volunteers better.
"Volunteers briefly trained in empathetic communication skills, which involved active listening and asking questions about what their subject was talking about," Maninder "Mini" Kahlon, lead study author told CNN. "Sometimes the agenda is just feeling like they have control."
As well as people feeling less lonely, anxiety and depression saw an even greater decrease, thanks to the conversations. Manidar explained that these results were "even more striking than the loneliness impact because they hadn't necessarily expected that degree of results".
If you're feeling lonely, Manidar explained reaching out to someone in your friendship group "who you can trust to talk to". Why not pick up the phone and brighten someone's day?
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Easter egg delivery UK: 15 cracking Easter eggs you can post to a loved one
G&B Organic Milk Collection Egg 345g
Made from organic milk chocolate, this classic Easter egg includes two luxurious chocolate bars — the Milk Chocolate with Butterscotch bar and the classic Milk chocolate bar. Great for posting to a friend, simply add your own personalised message at the checkout.
NOMO Vegan Salted Caramel Easter Egg & Bar 148g
With a creamy taste, this vegan salted caramel Easter egg also comes with its own small chocolate snack bar. Made in the UK, this Easter egg delivery option is free from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts.
Put all your eggs into one basket with Thornton's classic Easter egg collection. Choose from milk, white and dark eggs, all of which can be sent straight to a loved one with a personalised note.
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Perfect for children, this lovely chocolate box is filled with chocolate bunnies in little baskets. So adorable!
Vegan Orange Choccie Easter Egg with Choccie Orange Bar 165g
The ultimate flavour combination for chocolate lovers, this vegan orange Easter egg comes with one large egg and a small chocolate bar, too.
Perfect for dark chocolate lovers over Easter, this Divine Chocolate egg is made out of rich 70% dark chocolate and comes with a cluster of mini Easter eggs. We're certain they'll go down a treat!
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Surprise a loved one this Easter with this fun assortment of chocolate eggs. At just £4.99, there's a flavour here for everyone. Don't forget to add a personalised message on your Easter egg delivery when you get to the checkout.
Spending Easter separated from loved ones? This buttermilk letterbox egg, which can be personalised, is perfect for posting to a friend.
COX & CO. SINGLE ORIGIN FARM TO BAR CACAO 100% Sustainable Cacao and Raw Cacao Nibs Vegan Easter Egg
Dairy and lactose free, this sustainable Easter egg has 85% cacao dark chocolate with a sprinkling of delicious raw cacao nibs. Best of all, the packaging is made from fully biodegradable card, vegetable-based inks and compostable film bags.
SELFRIDGES SELECTION Honeycomb milk chocolate Easter egg 215g
Looking for something a little more luxurious? Well, this honeycomb milk chocolate Easter egg from Selfridges ticks all the right boxes. Best of all, it's part of the department store's sustainable range.
Personalised Message Chocolate Yellow Chick Easter Egg
We love this chocolate Easter egg delivery box, which is slim enough to be posted through the letterbox. Each box contains a colourful chocolate flat egg with yellow chicks on a square of chocolate. Yummy!
See what’s inside Organic Butterscotch Milk Chocolate Egg 165g
Made with butterscotch, this affordable Easter egg is ideal if you're on the hunt for something smaller.
You can never go wrong with a Lindt chocolate Easter egg, which is why this seasonal set is the perfect treat. It comes with a handful of assorted mini eggs, too.
With indulgent sea salt, caramel and milk chocolate, this delicious Easter egg delivery is certain to satisfy the taste buds. Why not order one for yourself and one for a friend?
Ideal for dog lovers, this sweet selection of milk chocolate dogs is great if you're looking for an alternative. Simply add a personalised message as you pay and post to your friend.
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Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism.
